I Really Love It Here!

The MTC is great!  I surprisingly like it a lot :)  I don't really know how to describe it, but I would say it's like everything I loved about BYU without everything I didn't particularly love.  So, in short, I really love it here!

Spanish...

I had not been around any Spanish since the middle of December so the first day was difficult for me.  I couldn't talk with Hermana Arevalo, and Hermana Perez did not arrive until later that night, so I felt awkward most of the day.  However, since that first day, being around it almost all of the time has helped me "pick it back up" very quickly.  I can understand most of what is said.  Talking is much more difficult.

I practice by constantly reading and writing in Spanish.  All of our classes are in Spanish.  I also received a packet of books in Spanish, so I can read the scriptures and Preach My Gospel in the language.

Right now, my brain in confused because it doesn't know whether to think in Spanish or English!  It is a mess.  It gives me a headache!  :P

The Infamous Food and More!

The food at the MTC is good.  It is the same food they serve at the Cannon Center at BYU, so nothing new for me.  We had a discussion in class about how the food gives the elders gas.  In my class/district, my companions and I are the only sisters.  There are about ten elders.

I'm in the Minority!

I am the only non-native Spanish speaker in my class/district.  The first day, I barely said a word, but now I'm feeling more comfortable.  I don't like speaking Spanish to anyone but my companions.  My companions are both native speakers and very paciente (I have no clue how to spell that in English).  They help me a lot with my Spanish.

My Companions!

I have two wonderful companions!  They are both are 21, making me the youngest - which is totally fine.

1. Hermana Arevalo is originally from El Salvador and speaks mostly Spanish.  
2. Hermana Perez is from California and speaks both Spanish and English fluently. 

It's funny because when we are all talking with each other Hermana Arevalo speaks Spanish, I answer mostly in English, and Hermana Perez says pretty much whatever comes out of her mouth.  I wonder what people think when they overhear us?

Life at the MTC!

After three days at the MTC, I have learned sooooo much!  I feel great, and not particularly overwhelmed.  I want to get to Texas as soon as possible, but don't know exactly when I will be leaving.  During a branch president interview, I was informed I would only be here at the most 10 days.  Then, our teacher told us yesterday, that it would be three weeks.  So, I expect to be here between 10 and 21 days, but who knows???

"Oh, my goodness! This is REALLY happening!"

After a very calm morning of packing, I headed to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) with my mom and dad.

First stop: Chuck a Rama for a FREE missionary meal!

 

Second stop: K-Mart to pick up a few "forgotten" items.

Third stop:  Near the Provo LDS Temple to take a picture.

 

Fourth, and final, stop:  The MTC!  As we approached the security gates, I exclaimed, "Oh, my goodness!  This is REALLY happening!" After unloading my two suitcases, and giving Mom and Dad a hug, I followed two elders up the sidewalk to start my service as a full-time missionary!  There was a lot of EXCITEMENT, and believe it or not...no tears from anyone, EVEN MOM! 

 

See you in eighteen months!